The History of St. George Parish
THE FIRST CHURCH
On September 29, 1912 under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Aurel Hatiegan and approximately 65 members, the St. George Romanian Greek Catholic Church of Canton, Ohio was established. A committee of 18 persons was elected with Nicolae Gherman as president.
On October 2, 1912, a frame church was purchased at Gibbs Avenue and Ninth Street. The church was remodeled to conform to the Byzantine Rite and was blessed on November 10, 1912. In 1915, a frame dwelling on the adjoining property was purchased.
Fr. Hatiegan served as visiting priest until 1917, assisted at various times by Rev. Fr. Aurel Bungardean of East Chicago. The first resident pastor, sent through the offices of the Metropolitan of Blaj, Romania was Rev. Fr. Dr. Coriolan Pop-Lupu. He served from 1917-1927. During his time Rev. Fr. Dr. Pop-Lupu consolidated the administration of the parish and was instrumental in framing the consolidation of the parish, which was adopted on June 24, 1917. He initiated Romanian Language classes and formed the Sf. Maria Ladies Auxiliary on August 14, 1924 with Sofia Domsa as president.
The parish was placed under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland in 1927. After serving for 10 years, Rev. Fr. Dr. Pop-Lupu returned to Romania and Rev. Fr. Aurel Voda (1927-28) and Rev. Fr. Ioan Spatariu (1928-29) served as visiting priests. Rev. Fr. Victor Vamosiu served from 1929-1930.
Teodor Moga was the first cantor, serving from (1912-1922). The next cantor was George Popa who served until 1947, and then Ovidiu Popa, who served until his death in 1971. Reader and Cantor James Dershaw filled that position from 1993 to present accompanied from 2008 by William Galida and Constance McAdams.
THE SECOND CHURCH
In 1930, Fr. Vamosiu was transferred to Cleveland and Fr. Ioan Spatariu of Youngstown served as visiting priest until 1934. During this time the church building was too small for the growing parish. On November 16, 1933 at a general meeting headed by Trifon Poparad, a building committee was elected. Three lots were purchased on Seventh Street. Paul Long was designer and builder of the church. The construction began in January of 1934 during the presidency of Simion Popp.
The cornerstone was laid on March 25, 1934 and blessed by the visiting priest, Fr. Ioan Spatariu. Fr. Vamosiu returned as resident pastor for the blessing of the new church on July 29, 1934.
During Fr. Vamosiu’s pastorate, in 1934, a youth choir was organized and conducted by Isidor Marcovici. Mrs. Alexandrina Pitea assumed direction of the choir. Also at that time, Mrs. Pitea was the instructor for 95 students enrolled in the Romanian Language Classes (1933-1938).
In 1937, after Fr. Vamosiu’s resignation, visiting priests, Rev. Fr. Ioan Vuc and Rev. Fr. Alexander Comsia, administered the church for two years. The parishioners again appealed to the Archbishop of Blaj for a permanent Romanian priest. On June 25, 1939, Rev. Fr. Ilie Crihalmean arrived from Blaj and introduced to the parishioners. Simion Popp was president of the church council and a reception was given to Fr. Ilie, which was arranged by the general chairman, Charles Flueras, assisted by Victor Pitea Sr.
Fr. Ilie was installed as pastor on August 28, 1939. During this time, Bishop McFadded of Cleveland consecrated the church in 1939. The parishioners voted to be definitively under the jurisdiction of the Cleveland Diocese in 1940. In May of 1943, the Diocese of Youngstown was established and St. George Church automatically came under the jurisdiction of this new diocese.
Fr. Crihalmean was one of the founders of the Association of Romanian Catholics of America (ARCA). It was founded in 1948 and Fr. Crihalmean served as president for 10 years.
Some of the parish’s other accomplishments during his time include: interior painting (canvas Painting); a new Iconostasis, blessed on June 15 1941; a new rectory, constructed in 1956; the remodeling of the Bell Tower; the addition of the sacristy; and the purchase of three lots near the church.
Fr. Crihalmean and parishioners were once again growing and the church and grounds were no longer suitable for the activities planned.
THE THIRD CHURCH
A building committee with Charles Cheton chairman recommended the purchase of property on 44th Street N.E. This consisted of three lots and a brick dwelling. Adjacent property to the north was also available for purchase, bringing the entire parcel of land to 8 1/4th acres. On December 13, 1970 the parish voted to purchase the entire property for $100,500.00.
On July15, 1971, Dan Ardelean and Victor Pitea were named co-chairmen of the planning committee. After a detailed presentation, the members voted Richard Johnson as designer (1972). Fr. Crihalmean’s untimely death on October 30, 1972 was deeply mourned. There followed an interval of little activity regarding the building plans.
Meanwhile, Fr. Mircea Toderici of Cleveland and Fr. John Pavel of Youngstown served the parish until the arrival of Rt. Rev. Carol Capros, Sc. E.O.D. from Rome on September 23, 1973.
There was a resumption of the building program with modifications to the plans, and final approval by the Bishop of Youngstown came on September 25, 1973. On August 28, 1974, William Pachan Construction Co. was selected as general contractor. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on September 29, 1974. The completion of the church and social center was in September of 1975 at a total cost of $1,097,805.00. The consecration of the church was held on October 5, 1975 with well over 800 fellow Romanian Catholics and guests attending. Through the generosity of the members and guests, $56,000.00 was raised at the affair.
The parish noted that normal church income could not sustain the payments on the mortgage, which amounted to $370,000.00 and suggested that the parish immediately implement its plans for the Georgian Social Center which seats 600 people. The parish began to provide catering services for weddings and large parties.
In two and a half years, on August 28, 1978, mortgage-burning ceremonies were held. At this same time, the consecration of the iconostasis was celebrated. The cost of the iconostasis screen was $26,000, and was totally donated by the membership. Monsignor Capros continued serving the church until his retirement in 1983.
On June 26, 1983, Father Louis Puscas of Aurora was ordained and appointed Exarch of the newly established the Exarchate for Romanian Catholics in the United States.
His Grace chose Canton to be the seat of the Eparchy and St. George became his Cathedral Church. He was installed in the new Cathedral on August 28, 1983 and also served the sister church, St. Theodore in Alliance, Ohio.
On June 30, 1986, Fr. John Filip served the parish until his retirement in 1987. On April 11, 1987, Pope John Paul II elevated the Romanian Catholic Exarchate to the canonical status of a diocese (Eparchy), and Bishop Louis Puscas became the first head of the new diocese of St. George the Martyr.
The Rev. Fr. Kenneth F. Yossa succeeded Fr. Filip as parish priest until his transfer to St. Mary Church of Roebling, New Jersey in 1990. Rev. Fr. John Michael Botean, native son of the parish, replaced him on September 1, 1990. Deacon John Skala also came to the church in 1990. Rev. Fr. Botean served the parish until 1993.
In 1988, the fish fry project was discontinued and the number of bookings for catering functions was scaled down due to the diminishing number of people because of death, illness and age.
Religious education classes were established for adults and children in the form of the parish’s Eastern Christian Formation Program (ECF), and a prayer fellowship called Faith, Involvement, Responsibility, and Enthusiasm (F.I.R.E.) met for some time.
In 1992, the choir consisted of eighteen members and Florence Branch was the choir director. The cathedral included around 50 families and 70 single and widowed persons, a total of about 200 individuals. There were about 18 youngsters ranging in age from 6 months to 16 years.
In 1993 Fr. Botean became the Apostolic Administrator for the diocese. Msgr. Gregory Duma came to the church in 1994 to serve as the rector. On August 24, 1996, Fr. Botean was ordained Bishop of the diocese. Msgr. Duma served until 1998 and then left for Romania. The Very Rev. Archpriest Fr. Charles Mezzomo would take over as rector. Fr. Deacon Skala would still serve the church, and in 1997, was ordained a priest by Bishop Botean.
On June 27, 1998 St. George hosted the 50th Anniversary of ARCA and a Debutante Ball was held. The General Chairman of the 50th Anniversary committee was Dan Ardelean. The Presentation Ball Committee consisted of Dave and Debbie Murari and Cyndi Ardelean.
During this time the catering department was managed by Opal Junka, with sometimes over 20 weddings a year plus our regular dinners – Martyred Bishops (formally known as St. Nicholas dinner) which proceeds were submitted to the Diocese as support for the Clergy Retirement Fund and continues to be that; Three Saints Dinner very well attended as well as St. George Patron Saint dinner. All the costs for these dinners were often donated by members of the parish in the effort to defray any costs so that the profit for these dinners can be maximized. Opal still continues her management position even nowadays in 2012 at her 88 years of age!
During Father Mezzomo’s time at St George, two committees were formed- Stewardship and Pastoral.
In 2000, Fr. Emmanuel Samayoa became the rector. During Fr. Samayoa’s time, a new religious education formation for children had begun. It is called The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and is inspired by Montessori principles of education. The curriculum is constructed so that it accommodates and nurtures the faith, moral and psychological states of the child’s growth (Association for the Religious Formation of the child). There are two atriums set up for the children. An atrium is a place where the children prepare for the involvement in the larger worshiping community. It is also a place for religious life, for community and worship. There are 2 atriums set up at St. George. One is for children ages 3 to 6 years old and the other is for children ages’ 6years to 9 years. This program is still being used at the Cathedral.
Also in 2000, Deacon Calin Tamiian came to serve St. George. He was here until 2002 when he was ordained a priest and assigned to the Mission in Los Angeles. In June of 2002, seminarian Paul Voida served the church and was also the catechist assistant. On September 7, 2003 The Romanian Catholic Diocese of Canton had celebrated a momentous event, the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Maramures style chapel that was built on the grounds of St. George Cathedral. On Sunday September 7, at 10:00 a.m., Bishop John Michael Botean, together with Very Rev. Fr. Emmanuel G. Samayoa and Rev. Fr. John J. Skala, celebrated the Divine Liturgy followed, at 11:30 a.m., by the groundbreaking ceremony. As customary for such event a cross was implanted on the designated place where the Church was built and the "corner stone" of the Church was put in the ground as well. As a thank you for their contribution the following persons had dug the hole where the stone was placed: Attorney Terry Seeberger - for his endless energy and time spent on this project; Mr. Rod Meadows - Architect - for donating his services for this building, as well as helping in the construction Coon Caulking through the generous service offered by Steve Coon, owner. Alongside the above mentioned people, Bishop John Michael also invited to contribute to the placement of the "corner stone" Mrs. Debbie Murari - as the President of the Ladies Auxiliary, Charles Roska, Fr. Emmanuel Samayoa - Rector of the Cathedral and Fr. John J. Skala.
On December 14, 2003 the church was deeply saddened by the passing of Fr. John J. Skala. In 2004, Fr. Emmanuel went to Detroit, Michigan to serve at our sister church, St. John the Baptist. Father Andrew Kolitsos came to serve for a short period until 2005. On May 21, 2005 His Grace Bishop John Michael Botean consecrated the wooden church, St. Panteleimon. In the ceremony the following had participated: Most Reverend Alexandru Mesian, Bishop of the Greek-Catholic Diocese of Lugoj, Romania, Most Reverend Florentin Crihalmeanu, Bishop of the Greek-Catholic Diocese of Cluj-Gherla, accompanied by Rev. Vasile Gorzo, Most Reverend Aurel Perca, Auxiliary Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Iasi, accompanied by Rev. Mihai Budau and Rev. Msgr. Gregory Duma and by Sister Felicia Danca from the order of Servants of Jesus the High Priest." Several clergy from the Eparchy of St. George in Canton were present as well, including the Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Nicholas Zachariades, Hegumen of the Holy Resurrection Monastery of Newberry Springs California.
Also in 2004 a new roof was placed on the Cathedral and on the Rectory house, with a total cost of approximately $74,000.00.
In 2005, seminarian Paul Voida was ordained a Deacon and in July of that same year, he was ordained a priest. He served as an associate pastor until May of 2006 when he went to St. Mary in McKeesport where he is currently the administrator. In 2005 Msgr. Gregory Duma returned from Romania to serve St. George. He was renamed Rector. In 2005 Ovidiu Marginean was ordained Deacon and in 2006, was ordained a priest by Bishop Botean. Fr. Ovidiu, currently Chancellor at the Diocese, was named associate pastor at St. George and administrator for St. Theodore church in Alliance.
Due to a grant application put together by Fr. Ovidiu St. George was awarded $30,000.00 in February 2009. Money was assigned to replace the two old HVAC units on the Church that served the church and the catechism class. Also a money drive was held during that time, from Fish Fry and regular building maintenance donations which brought a total of $28,000.00 raised for the same project. The funds raised were actually allocated to the general fund to cover expenses due to the fact that grant paid in full for the units.
In September 2009 Msgr. Gregory Duma’s retired from his position as Rector.
2009 also commemorated the beginning of another major fundraiser for St. George Cathedral – the Romanian Heritage Festival which under the direct supervision of Johnnie Maier as the Chairman and Robert Greavu as the Chairman of the Festival Committee flourished so well that brought in one day more than 1000 people at our church to partake in the good food, Romanian music and traditional dancers as well as variety of goodies in our famous bakery (cofetărie) as well as our new bookstore (under the direct supervision of Debbie Muntean and Jaime Moran helped by many others at the Festival times). Many people contributed year after year to the success of this Festival, whose names will always remain in the heart of the church for their countless hours of sacrifice they have put in. All those names, even though they are not all mentioned here, will always be remembered as benefactors of our church!
In 2009 was The Pastoral Council, following Fr. Ovidiu and P-sa. Gabriela suggestion to re-open our Fish Fry dinners, decided to re-start our Fish Fry dinners. Chairperson for the Pastoral Council was Johnnie Maier, appointed by the Bishop in 2006. The beginning of 2010 Lent commemorated the re-starting of our Fish Fry dinners. The dinners went so well that three new fryers were purchased and a new stove to help keep up with the number of people that were starting to come to the Fish Fry. Every year they became more and more successful and a major fundraiser for the Church once more. They brought on average 450-550 people per night.
Choir was also resurrected in 2009 under the direct supervision of Eugene Dennis Popa, as Choir Director. Choir sings sporadically from October through June, however always signs at Christmas, Easter and Pentecost.
In May 2010, after a period of transition at the Cathedral, Bishop John Michael elevated Fr. Ovidiu to the to the rank of "Iconom Stavrofor" rank that offers another vestment to the clergy liturgical dress code and that is the epigonation thus lifting Rev. Ovidiu to the rank of Very Reverend .
In July 2010 Bishop John Michael appointed Fr. Ovidiu as the new Rector of the Cathedral – thus becoming the seventh rector of St. George Cathedral.
Also in 2010 a new organization was formed – The Carpathian Men's Club. The first president was elected in the person of Shafeek Shaheen who served two terms as president. In 2012 Charles Roska was elected the new president for the Carpathians. The Men's club was so successful that sprung up very fast and was able to reach within three years of existence a number of more than 30 members. Among achievements for the Men's club we can enumerate: re-doing the steps in front of the Church, new railway installed along the handicapped path, $1000 annual Scholarship award for excellence in academics given to a child of a member of the Carpathians or of the Church – fund that comes from the annual Carpathians golfing outing, monthly Polka Fests and lately a playground being installed for the numerous children that the parish now has.
Up until 2010, the chairperson for the Stewardship Committee was Terrence Seeberger. He was followed by Emil Alecusan who is the current Chairperson for the said Committee. A new budgeting strategy was put in place during Emil's time which allowed the church for the first time in many years to see past expenditures and create an income and expenses budget to better serve for the knowledge on how the money were received and spent.
Senior citizens continue to meet though their numbers have gone down over the years. Under Opal Junka's presidency the seniors enjoyed trips to the Erie Lake and other entertaining places. The seniors still meet once a month during the spring, summer and fall season.
On May 1, 2011, Bishop John Michael ordains Subdeacon George Wendt to the order of Deacon for the Romanian Catholic Diocese and assigns him to St. George Romanian Catholic Cathedral.
In 2011, the Ladies auxiliary, with Debbie Murari still as President, through their generosity have purchased a new convection oven for the kitchen (totaling approximately $6,000). Also through their generosity the Ladies have donated the costs for repainting and carpeting of the Small Hall as well as the carpeting of the hallway leading to the Small Hall from the Church totaling approximately $8,000.
The Montessori Catechism continues to be the catechism used for the ages 3-6 and 6-9 and continues to be led by Carol Popa with help from Emily Stoffer – catechist as well as many other volunteers who have helped with different tasks. Due to the variances in ages of our children another catechism was developed – The God with Us catechism led by Jaime Moran for the ages 10 and all the way to high-school.
Another milestone for St. George Cathedral was the incorporation of St. Theodore parishioners into St. George in October of 2011. The administration of St. Theodore was transferred to the Diocese but the parishioners were transferred to the Cathedral for pastoral purposes. St. Theodore Ladies Auxiliary (Sf. Elena) donated $5,000.00 to the Sf. Maria Ladies Auxiliary (St. George Cathedral) and also the amount of $18,817.00 was transferred from the assets of St. Theodore into St. George Cathedral. The remaining $10,000 was donated to the Diocese to use for the upkeep of the Church.
In December 2011 – due to the fact that we had quite a few children in our church we were able to do a Christmas play. Under the supervision of Kathy Walsh children have presented to the whole congregation gathered in the Large Hall a very elegant and beautiful Christmas play.
May of 2012 through advance planning and thanks to Terrence Seeberger for facilitating the negotiations with Central Allied Company the parking lot was resurfaced and restriped including the Rectory house as well. $67,500.00 represented the total costs for this major project. Other project are in place to take place for the near future which will renew once more after 37 years of existence at this location the Church that in 1987 became the Cathedral of our Diocese – which this year is celebrating its silver anniversary.
In 2012 was created also another youth group (similar to the girl scouts) called the Little Flower Girls Club, with Tonya Parker and Jaime Moran as coordinators for this Club. The main purpose is to instruct our girls into the moral and spiritual virtues, thus preparing them for being better Christians.
The activities for the children grew and grew and in July 2012 the Youth group for St. George Cathedral was able to meet and do a Youth Retreat for the first time in many years. 12 children and 6 supervisors did a retreat at Loyola of the Lake Retreat House under the name of St. Panteleimon Youth Retreat with the theme Armor of God. St. Panteleimon was decided for the name due to the fact that the retreat ended on the day of the Saint with a Liturgy celebrated by Very Rev. Ovidiu Marginean with the youth group in the St. Panteleimon Church. Because of its success it seems that it will become an annual event for our children.
In 2012 the parish reached 110 registered families with approximately 300 members out of which we have 28 children. On a regular Sunday we have between 80 and 100 participating regularly at the Divine Liturgy.
2012 was an year of many activities and with October 2012 – the beginning the year of faith – we pray, hope and believe that God will give us enough strength to continue for years to come to serve the church for whatever He has in mind for St. George Church and Cathedral!
